Well packer



sept. 1s, 1951 J, s, PAGE 2,568,295

v WELL PACKER Filed April 27, 1946 Patented Sept. 18, 1951 UNITED STATES PATENT TOF 1"" ICE WELL PACKER John S. Page, lLong Beach,.(}alif.,` assignor 'to' Page Oil Tools, Inc.,` Long Beach, Calif., a corf poration of California ff Application April 27, 1946, ,serial No. ,665,485

10 Claims. (Cl. 166-12) This invention relates to oil well packers.

It is an` object of 'this invention to provide a well packer having animprovedfand simplified mode of operation, aswell as .increased reliability.

Itis anothervobject of this invention to provide a well packerY having improved means for controlling the .by-pass.

' It is another object, of vthis invention to provide a well packer having a Yvalve controlled by-pass and soarranged thatuid pressures within the well or tubing have no tendency to ,operate the valve.

It .is` another vobject of this invention `to providea well packer having 'improved iluidpressure operatedmeans for operating slip. mecha- Y nism to grip the casing.

detailed descriptionis `not to betaken in a limits ing sense, since the Ascope of theinvention is best defined by the appended claims.

Referring to the drawing: Figure lis an `axial section of a well packer embodying the features of the invention;

Figure 2 is a similar View, but showing the parts in a diierent operating position; and

`ligure 3 is a similar view, showing the parts in still another operatingposition. Referring to the drawing,.the tool comprises an elongated tubular -bodyl .adapted to be secured .to the lower end of `a tubing string (not. shown) extending `to the surface of the ground, `for posi- -tionng in a well casing 2. The body .I is built :npnf Vseveral sections appropriately secured together as by threaded connections. The body ,I `has anienlarged portion-3 at its upper end to `provide a valve chamber 14; the enlarged portion 3 being secured on the threaded pin 5 of Va "sub or othermember 5 secured to the lower "end of .the vabove `mentionedtubing string. The

.member 6 is tubular, so that the valve chamber .4 `is in continuouscommunication with the tubing string. One ormore .ports .'I through the wall fof `the enlarged body portion `3 serve kk,optionally to establish communication between, the interior of the tool" body ,I andthe tubing string, andthe interior of the casing2.' The ports 1"'are con-4 trolled by a valve means 8, 4tolse describedjhereinafter. Y p

Conventional .casing gripping means logare provided to restrain lmovement of the body I in the casing The' means Illcomprises a slip head II fixed on the .body I and a plurality of slips I2 having teethvo'rwickers i 3 for engaging the vcasing 2. ,As is well understood, the slip head Il provides inclined'suriaces VlI IIlto which the slips l2,are respectively'dovetailed Advance of the slip head II between the slips I2 urges the slips radially outward to grip the `casing 2 securing the tool against movement therein. Retractionof the Vliead II from between the slips I2 pulls the slips ,'radiallyinwardly, releasing the toolVformovementinthe casing.

Each of thefslips I21isconnected by a pivoted link I5 with theupper `end or head I6 of atubular member or sleevev I1 telescoped ,over the body I for free' Vsliding movementjthereon. A conventional vpacker .I8.,is Secured on the sleeve I1 against the lower side offthe head I6, and is directed 4downwardly,so asv to seal against the casing 2 in response to` excess. pressurebelow the packer. This serves ,torri-Vent upwardiluid ow between the .body I .and "the'casing 2. To prevent leakage betweenjthe body I and thegfsleeve Il, suitablepackingindicated at I9 and .20 `may be provided. j Y

It will be apparent that with the body `I restrained againstupward movement in the casing 2, .excess pressure below the packer .IB ,will exert a force urging the ,packer I'together withsleeve I1 and the slips I2 upwardly oflthe body I, ,and that` this force .maybe controlled by operating the valve 8 to openand close the port 1 `thereby releasing orV trappingsuch fluid pressure. For this purpose, means musthe provided to establish communication between V.the port 1 and the in- .terior of the casing below-the packer I8.

The valve means 8 comprises a packed piston23 `slidable in the valve chamber 1l, and dividing vthe chamberA into upper and lower parts 4-a. and

4-b respectively. l'hepiston v23 may ber-formedy by a pair of cup leathersor packers 24 and`25 assembled -back to `back ona tubular Vmember or valve steml26 extending axially through the body I and slidableireely therein.. This Vmember 2,6 serves to maintain the V.upper part 4--a of the valve chamberv 4 .in cominunication at all' times with the interior of `the casingZ below the packer I8. Additionally, withfthe valve means 8, in its wardly facing surface 21 is provided on the valve stem 26 for engagement withA an upwardly facing surface 28 in the body I. 5

Releasable lock means 30 are provided for retaining the valve means 8 in its lower positionV with respect to the body I, maintaining the bypass port 1 open. Thus, the member 26 extends below the body I and has a ange 3| secured at its-lower -end on which is mounted an enlarged tubular-,section orcup 32 A-defining an annular we1l33 for accommodating the lower end of the body A plurality of friction springs 34 are provided onthe exterior of the cup 32 for frictionally engaging thewall of the casing 2. Additionally, thefwall of the cup 32 is provided with an inverted L slot35 (see Figure 3) for accommodating ra pin 36 carried by a, downward extension 31 ofthe body I. The arrangement is such that with the pin 36 in the horizontal portion 35`-'a' of slot 35 (Figure l) the valve means 8 is retained in its lower position relative to the body I.

'Ihe springs 34 by their engagement with the wall of the casing 2 serve to restrain movement of 'the cup 32 and the connected valve means 8, thus. appropriate manipulation of `Ythe* tubing string serves to move the tool body I and operate the valve means as desired. By moving the body I counterclockwise through a. small angle, the pin 36 may be aligned with the vertical portion 35-b ofthe slot'35. The body I may then be lowered to cause the valve means 8 toclose the ports 1.` Such movement is'limited by the engage'm'entof the lower end lof' the body extension 31 with the bottom member 3| (see Figure 2) In this position, fluid pressure below the packer I8 can only escape through'the member 26 and the tubing string and may be controlled or augmented asf desired.V Such pressure,.ifin excess of the pressure in the casing interior above the packer I8, urges the packer I8 together with the sleeve I1 and slips I2 upwardly of the body I, causing the slips I2 to engage the casing 2, locking the tool against upward movement in the casing. The parts are now in the relative positions of Figure 3.

It is necessary that the slips I2 be retained in their inactive positions while the tool is being run in the casing, .and means are provided whereby the lock means 30 servesl for this purpose in addition to retaining the valve means in by-pass opening position. For this purpose, the Vlower end of the sleeve I1 is provided with an annular flange or lip 48 adapted to be confined between opposed shoulders 4I and 42, formed respectively on the lock member 32 and body extension 31.

When the valve means 8 and body I are locked .against relative axial movement, shoulders 4I and. 42 are spaced apart a distance equal substantially to the thickness of the flange 40. Thus,

sleeve I1 with the slips I2 and the body I are also locked against relative movement (see Figure l). 'When the lock means 30 is released, and the valve means 8 and body I are moved relatively t0 each other to by-pass closing position the shoulders 4I and 42 are separated to release the flange 40 and allow sufcient movement of the sleeve I1 to cause the slips to engage the casing 2 (see Figure 2).

However, it is desirable to insure that the slips I2 do not grip the casing until the valve means 8 has closed the by-pass port 1, as premature engagement of the slips might prevent proper closing of the by-pass. Accordingly, a compression spring 43 is interposed between the lower end of the slip head II and the upper face of the head I6 of the sleeve I1. This spring 43 serves to prevent upward movement of the sleeve I1 relative to the body I due for example to the friction of packer I8 on the casing 2 as the body I is lowered to close the by-pass, or to any slight pressure excess below the packer.

With the by-,pass 1 closed, well pressure below the packer I8 may be allowed to build up tourge the sleeve I1 and the slips I2 upwardly, or such pressure may be supplemented or Asupplied by uid forced down the tubing string. The upward II, so that they are forced outwardly to grip the' casing 2. The parts are now in the relative positions shown in Figure 3.

When the piston 23 is in position to close the by-pass 1, provision is made for equalizingthen pressures in spaces 4,-a and 4-b on opposite sides of the piston so that'no force is present' urging relative movement between the body "I and the valve means 8. This is accomplished by` providing one or more ports 44 in the tubularmember 26 opening into the lower chamber 4;?) when the by-pass is closed. 'Y

The operation of setting the tool should be apparent from the foregoing.l When it is desired to remove the tool from the well, the tubing string is raised, causing the body I to move upwardly with respect to thevsleeve I1 and slips I2, the movement of the slip head I I with respect to the slips serving to retract the slips from casing gripping position. The body also moves upwardly with respect to the valve means 8 opening the by-pass 1, and bringing the pin 36 into alignment with the horizontal port 35-a of the slot 35. In this condition all parts are again in the relative positions of Figure 1, and clockwise movement of the body I will bring pin 36 into the horizontal slot portion 35a, locking the slips I2 and valve means 8 against further movement with respect to the body I.

I claim:

1. A well tool for attachment to a tubing string for positioning in the casing of a well compris, ing a tubular elongated body, a pair of tubular elements mounted coaXially on said body for limited independent movement relative thereto, a packer on the outer of said tubular elements for sealing against the well casing, casing grip'- ping means comprising a slip head and slipl's on said body, means attaching the outer of said tubular elements to said slips to effect movement of the latter into and out of casing gripping position on relative movement of said outer tubular element and said body, said body having an opening through itsv wall to permit well fluid to by-pass said packer, a valve on the inner of said tubular elements for controlling said opening on relative movement of said inner element and body, and interengaging members on said elements and said body for releasably locking said asesinas felements againstmovement in positions in-which -j saitifbyfpass is open'and said gripping means are fout ofca'singv gripping position.

- 2. Awell tool forattachment to a tubing string forpositioning inthe casing of a well compris- `movementofsaid inner element and body, and

interengaging members on said body, on said outer element iand on the :extension of said inner element for releasably locking said elements and said body against relative movement in positions in which said by-pass is open and said gripping means are out of casinggripping posiion.

`VWell packer for attachment to a tubing l'string-for positioning in the casing of a 'well comprising a tubular elongated body, a pair of tubular elements mounted on the interior and on the exterior respectively of said body for limited movement relative thereto, packings on the outer of said tubular elements for sealing between said body and the we1 l casing, casing gripping members on said body having means connected to the outer of said tubular elements for moving said members to grip the casing on movement of said last named element in one direction relative to said body, said body having a port through its Wall above said packings to permit well iiuid to by-pass the same, a valve on the inner of said tubular elements for closing said by-pass port, an annular flange on the outer of said tubular elements, stop shoulders on said body andfon the inner of said elements for engaging the opposite sides of said flange and for maintaining said tubular elements in assembled relation with said body while permitting limited relative movement, and interengaging means on said body and on the inner of said tubular elements for releasably locking the same in position to maintain said stop shoulders in contact With said flange during insertion and removal of the well packer.

4. In a well packer for positioning in the casing of a well by means of a tubing string, in combination, a tubular elongated body to be attached to the tubing string, a packing element on said body for sealing between said body and the well casing, said body having a port through its wall to serve as a by-pass for well iiuid around said packing, said body providing a valve chamber adjacent said port, a valve mounted for limited movement in said chamber to control said port, means on said valve for making frictional contact with the well casing whereby movement of said valve to close or to open said port is eiected by lowering or raising said body, and

Vmeans for releasably locking said valve in position to leave said port open.

5. In a well packer for positioning in the casing of a well by means of a tubing string, in

combination, a tubular elongated body to be attached to the tubing string, a packing element on said body for sealing between said body and the well casing, vsaid body having a port "through its wall toserve as aby-pass for welluid around said packing, said bo'dy providing a -valve chamber adjacent said port, a valve mounted for--limited movementinsai'dichamber to control said port and dividing thelatter into two-pressure spaces on `opposite sides of saidvalve, one "of saidspaces being iii-continuous communication withl both the "tubing `string and the interior oi! the casing below the'packer, means onsai'divalve for making 'frictional vcontact with the Wellfcasing whereby said valve is'moved toclose or-to open said portlby lowering -or vraisingfsaid body', interengaging members-pn said body Vand valve for limiting `the movement'of thel'att'er andi-for releasably Vlocking said valve finpo'sition -to' open said port, and a passage opened by said-valve when in port closing positionior admitting Well fluid to' said other pressurespace. i I 16. In Va well packerfor positioning in' the'casingv of Va well' by `means Aof atubing string; combinatioma Vtubular,elongated body to be attached to the tubing stringa packing element on Vsaid body for sealing between said body and the `well, casing",y vsaid 'bodyI having a 'port through itswall to serve-1 as aby-pass forf'we'll iiuid around said packing, said `body lproviding a valve chamber adjacent A'said port; a valve mounted for limited movement in said chamber to control said port, an extension on said valve projecting beyond said body and movable axially to cause said valve to open and to close said port, and iiexible members on said extension for frictionally contacting the well casing so that movement of said valve in said valve chamber is effected by lowering and raising said body, and interengaging members on said body and on said extension for releasably locking said valve in port opening position.

7. In a well packer for positioning in the casing of a well, by means of a tubing string, in combination, a tubular elongated body to be attached to the tubing string, a packing element on said body for sealing between said body and the well casing, said body having a port through its wall to serve as a by-pass for well fluid around said packing, said body providing a valve chamber adjacent said port, a tubular valve mounted for limited movement in said chamber to provide continuous communication between the tubing string and the interior of the well casing below the packer and to control said port, a tubular extension secured to said valve and extending through and beyond said body, resilient friction means on said tubular extension for frictionally engaging the well casing, whereby movement of said body relative to said tubular extension and valve moves the latter to cover and to uncover said by-pass port, and interengaging members on said body and on said extension for releasably locking said valve in position to uncover said port.

8. A well tool for attachment to a tubing string for positioning within the casing of a Well bore, comprising a tubular elongate body, a sleeve slidable on said body, a downwardly directed packer on said sleeve for sealing against the well casing, means comprising slip members movably mounted on said body for gripping said casing, means actuated by-movement of said sleeve relative to said body for forcing said members into and out of gripping engagement with said casing, said b-ody having a port through the wall thereof above said sleeve for permitting well fluid to by-pass said packer, a valve mounted for limaangaan ited movement within said body for controlling said by-pass port, and means attached to said valve and frictionally engaging said easing to adjust the position'of'said valve within said body in relation to said by-pass port. l 9. VA well tool for attachment to a tubing string for positioning within the casing lo1 a well comprising a tubular elongate body, a sleeve slidable on saidA body, a downwardly directed packer on saidsleeve for sealing against the well casing, .slipl members on said body for gripping the casing of the well, means connecting said members and said sleeve to move said members into and out of kgripping position on movement of said sleeve relative to said body, said body having a port therethrough above said sleeve to permit well fluid to by-pass said packer, a valve for controlling said port, said valve having an extension beyond said body, resilient friction means on said extension for frictionally engaging the well casing, and stops on said body and said extension for limiting the movement of said valve and for releasably locking Said valve in port opening position.

1 0. A well tool for attachment to a tubing string for positioning within the casing of a well comprising a tubular elongate body, a sleeve slidable on said body, a downwardly directed packer on said sleeve for sealing against the well casing, slip members on said body for gripping the casing of the well, means connecting said members and said sleeve to move said members into and out of gripping position on movement of said sleeve relative to said body, said body having a port therethrough above said sleeve to permit well fluid to by-pass said packer, a valve for controlling said port, said valve having a tubular extension projecting beyond said body and having a portion in slidable telescoping engagement with said sleeve, resilient friction means on said portion for frictionally engaging the well casing, and stops on said portion and on said body and sleeve for limiting movement `of said valve and for releasably locking said valve in port opening position and said sleeve out of gripping position. Y i JOHN S. PAGE.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number -Name Date 1 2,343,076 lOtis et al Feb. 29,1944 

